NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
April 21, 2008

Hundreds of East Central Energy (ECE) members and guests gathered at Cambridge-Isanti High School in Cambridge, MN Saturday, April 19 for the cooperative's 72^nd annual meeting.

Pancakes and sausage were served to more than 800 people. Member registration (one per household) for the event totaled 376.

"Leaving a greener footprint for tomorrow" was the theme for the annual meeting. President and CEO Garry Bye explained in his report to members that ECE has focused for many years on conservation and alternative energy and will continue to do so. He urged members to take advantage of the cooperative's programs to reduce their energy use and help improve the environment. "By walking and working together, we can leave a greener footprint for tomorrow," he said in the annual report.

Results of the annual director election were announced at the meeting. ECE members in districts 3 and 6 voted for their representative on the ECE Board of Directors and elected David C. Cartwright to represent district 3. In district 6, David Tellinghuisen was re-elected. Director Jim Haasis did not have an election challenge and will continue to represent district 1. The annual director election allows ECE members, as owners, to have a voice in how their cooperative operates. The board members re-elected Joe Morley chair of the board. Robert Thompson was elected to serve as vice chair, and Diane Zimmerman was elected secretary-treasurer.